Professional Protection for Trees in Deer Country
Maximize your planting success with advanced SunFlex Grow Tubes, featuring 5 ft "Doe Shield" height to grow seedlings safely above the deer browse line.
10-Pack Includes: (10) 5 ft Grow Tubes with Stem Guides and (30) Twist-Lock Ties. Note: Support stakes and drivers are not included in this pack.
Doe Shield — 5 ft Tube Height Stops Deer Browse Damage
Maximize your planting success with the advanced design of SunFlex Grow Tubes. Engineered to protect your trees while promoting vigorous, healthy growth, this 10-pack features our latest Stem Guide technology (Patent Pending). This professional-grade solution protects your seedlings from wind and heavy deer pressure.
Our innovative tapered guides eliminate the need for traditional bird net exclusion caps, saving you time and reducing environmental waste.
Deer are unquestionably the number one threat to nearly all wild-land and many urban tree plantings. White-tailed deer, with an average height of 36-40 inches at the shoulder, can easily browse most any unprotected tree below a height of about 4½ ft tall.
The Taller Solution: Shorter tube shelters (less than 4½ ft) are of little use because they expose the emerging tree right at the feeding level. The 5 ft tall SunFlex Doe Shield gets the job done by protecting your trees safely above the browse line from day one.
Before & After: Night-time raid by whitetail deer on a short tube caught on trail cam demonstrates the absolute need for taller (5 ft minimum) grow tube shelters in deer country.
SunFlex protects and grows your seedlings from roots to shoots with advanced greenhouse technology. Seedlings often lose 75% of their potential growth due to environmental stress caused by wind and animals. SunFlex optimizes the "Big 4" (Sunlight, CO2, Moisture & Temperature) to maximize your tree's potential.
SunFlex® Greenhouse™ Grow Tubes: The ultimate protection to grow your seedlings faster, bigger, and healthier!
Sunlight Note: SunFlex is a greenhouse designed for a minimum of 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sunlight per day during the growing season. The image at right illustrates where to plant your seedlings if using a grow tube.
Protect against deer browse: White-tailed deer, with an average shoulder height of 36-40 inches, can easily browse any unprotected tree below 4½ ft tall. The 5 ft tall Doe Shield Grow Tube is the recommended minimum height to protect emerging tree tops.
Step 1 - Plant Seedling: Follow nursery supplier guidelines on planting depth and site selection.
Step 2 - Prepare for Tubing: Carefully remove lateral branches using sharp pruning shears before installation. Avoid cutting the terminal leader.
Step 3 - Install Grow Tube and Stake:
A. Position your support stake (sold separately) 1.5 - 2 inches from the seedling.
B. Slide the grow tube over the top of the stake and seedling. If using SunFlex Trunk Builder stakes, they are designed to be installed entirely inside the tube.
C. Secure with the 3 included Twist Lock® Soft Wire Ties. Twist firmly to prevent the tube from sliding or spinning.
Step 4 - Stem Guides: Your 5 ft SunFlex tubes feature integrated Stem Guides. No bird nets or additional caps are needed. The guides naturally stabilize the terminal leader and deter birds from perching.
The SunFlex System combines greenhouse technology with innovative protection. It nurturing rapid growth and builds a wind-firm foundation for long-term success.
SunFlex acts as a greenhouse, optimizing sunlight, CO2, and water—the critical inputs for photosynthesis.
Proprietary technology diffuses sunlight while Cross-Flow™ venting boosts CO2 and ensures proper dormancy.
Blocks 100% of drying winds and increases photosynthesis via diffused light.
Gently prepares the plant for the outside world. Features Integrated Stem Guides to prevent abrasion.
Channels growth upward. Pair with Trunk Builder stakes to trigger thickening via flex-movement.
Don't forget the stakes!
These tubes are best supported by Plantra's Trunk Builder® Support Stakes. Engineered to bend with the wind, they help build stem strength for long-term success.